Occurrence of West Nile virus antibodies in wild birds, horses, and humans in Poland.

Serum samples of 474 wild birds, 378 horses, and 42 humans with meningitis and lymphocytic meningitis were collected between 2010 and 2014 from different areas of Poland. West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were detected using competition enzyme linked immunosorbent assays: ELISA-1 ID Screen West Nile Competition, IDvet, ELISA-2 ID Screen West Nile IgM Capture, and ELISA-3 Ingezim West Nile Compac. The antibodies were found in 63 (13.29%) out of 474 wild bird serum samples and in one (0.26%) out of 378 horse serum samples. Fourteen (33.33%) out of 42 sera from patients were positive against WNV antigen and one serum was doubtful. Positive samples obtained in birds were next retested with virus microneutralisation test to confirm positive results and cross-reactions with other antigens of the Japanese encephalitis complex. We suspect that positive serological results in humans, birds, and horses indicate that WNV can be somehow closely related with the ecosystem in Poland.

[Botulism--actual epidemiologic and clinical problem]. / Botulizm--nadal aktualny problem epidemiologiczny i kliniczny.

Botulism incidence in Poland is the highest in whole European Union. Polish emigrants suffer from botulism as well. This phenomenon is supposed to be caused by Polish custom of preparing home-made food. The most frequent clinical forms of botulism are: foodborne botulism, wound botulism and infant botulism. The diagnosis is mostly made on case history, physical examination and it is confirmed by toxin detection in food remains, vomits and stool. In treatment of adult's botulism antitoxin derived from hyperimmunizated horses, but in infant botulism human immunoglobulin should be used.

[Prevalence of antibodies to Francisella tularensis in forest workers from different regions of Poland]. / Wystepowanie przeciwcial dlaantygenów Francisella tularensis u pracowników lesnych w wybranych regionach Polski.

In the present study we evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to F. tularensis in 480 serum samples obtained from healthy forest workers from different regions of Poland. The investigations were performed using the tube agglutination test and ELISA. The cut-off limit of serum antibodies was set at mean antibody titre determined in the sera of 115 blood donors exceeded by three standard deviations. In none serum samples we detected antibodies to F. tularensis by tube agglutination test. Of the 480 tested sera IgA antibodies were detected by ELISA in 4.6%, antibodies IgG in 3.8% and antibodies IgM in 2.70% serum samples. The results of our study showed that antibodies to F. tularensis were slightly, but not statistically significant, more often diagnosed in healthy forest workers than healthy blood donors.

[Mental problems in Lyme disease]. / Problemy psychiczne wystepujace w przebiegu choroby z Lyme.

North-East of Poland is an area endemic for borreliosis. Psychiatric disorders, the most common for the late stage, are more and more frequent manifestations of Lyme disease. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of different psychiatric complications and identify the spectrum of symptoms and psychopathological syndromes associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Lyme disease causes a variety of psychiatric symptoms. They are less common in skin type of borreliosis manifested by skin erythema.